Senator Bradford Appointed Chair of Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color

By Sentinel News Wire

Published March 12, 2019

SACRAMENTO ­– Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) was appointed Chair of the newly formed Senate Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color. The Select Committee will examine the challenges currently facing African American, Latino, Native American and Asian/Pacific Islander boys and men in California, and will focus on developing strategies that yield positive outcomes.

Steven Bradford (file photo)

“I am eager to build upon the progress we have made over the years, and in particular my work as Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color, which created the framework for President Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative,” said Senator Steven Bradford. “But, the fact of the matter is our boys and men of color still face unprecedented barriers in life. Statistically, they fall behind when it comes to health, education, and employment, yet lead when it comes to encounters with law enforcement and incarceration.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, racial and ethnic minorities bear a disproportionate burden of disease injury, premature death, and disability. Multiple studies identify racial inequalities in wages, income, wealth, and employment. High school dropout rates for boys and men of color are 15 to 21 percent higher than their caucasian counterparts. The Senate Select Committee will delve deeper into these issues convening community leaders, advocacy groups, leading researchers and impacted youth for a series of hearings to discuss specific issues within the areas of health, education, juvenile justice, youth empowerment, community policing and career development.

“With Governor Newsom’s prioritization of youth outcomes,” continued Senator Bradford, “the Select Committee in the Assembly, and now the formation of the Select Committee in the Senate, we are building greater momentum to create large scale policy changes and investments that will have a lasting impact on generations to come.”

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